Executive Director at New York Folklore

Empregara; City of Schenectady (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

New York Folklore seeks an Executive Director to lead day-to-day operations and advance its mission through strategic leadership, financial stewardship, and external engagement.

The role requires strong collaborative leadership, experience with grant writing and fundraising, and the ability to inspire staff, volunteers, donors, and partners. Residence in the Capital region is expected; some evenings/weekends and statewide travel are anticipated.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in folklore with a focus on public folklore preferred.
• Minimum of five years of managerial experience in a cultural organization required.
• Knowledge of New York State geography and its diverse regions is a plus; leadership with compassion is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop a long-range strategy rooted in public folk arts, in collaboration with the Board and staff.
• Maintain community partnerships with artists, cultural organizations, and stakeholders; stay informed on field developments.
• Oversee budget, finance, and fundraising including grants from NYS, local govs, foundations, and donors; lead earned revenue efforts.
• Maintain regular communication with the Board and publicize activities through traditional and social channels; coordinate Voices: the Journal.
• Advocate for the organization with NYSCA, NYFA, NEA, and other arts entities; lead local and national advocacy efforts.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Grant writing

Strategic planning

External engagement

Education

Master’s degree in folklore (public folklore focus)

Master’s degree in related field (ethnomusicology, cultural heritage, museum studies, anthropology)

Job description

Description

Responsibilities

The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of New York Folklore. The

Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Trustees and is responsible for advancing its mission through strategic leadership, financial stewardship, organizational management, and external engagement.

The Executive Director is expected to be a highly visible leader who inspires confidence among staff, volunteers, donors, members, and community partners while ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability and continued growth.

The successful candidate will possess strong, collaborative leadership skills, and excellent

organizational, administrative, communication, and managerial skills. Experience with grant writing and fundraising is essential to identifying and sustaining new projects and initiatives.

The Executive Director position is full-time and exempt.

Applicant is expected to reside in the Capital region if offered the position.

Some evening and weekend work should be expected.

Statewide travel as needed.

Duties include:

Program development

• Work with Board of Directors and staff in developing a long-range strategy that achieves the organization’s mission and reflects its organizational values, including an emphasis on public folk arts programming rooted in field work and community-based relationship building


• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field of public folklore and community-based arts


• Maintain community partnerships and relationships with artists, cultural organizations, and community stakeholders

Personnel Management

• Supervise a current staff of 5, and hire for any vacancies or new positions that may arise


• Ensure that job descriptions are developed and revised as necessary, that regular performance reviews are conducted and that sound human resources are in place


• Maintain a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of high-quality people


• Other duties and responsibilities as may be necessary to ensure the safe and responsible operation and management of the organization and its staff

Budget and Finance

• Work with staff, Finance Committee and Board in preparing the annual budget; ensure that the organization operates within budget guidelines


• Take the lead on fundraising efforts on behalf of the organization, including longstanding and new grants through New York State and local governments, regional and national foundations, federal agencies, other organizations, and large individual donors


• Advance earned revenue through leading fundraising events, membership growth and retention, solicitation of gifts, and fee for service opportunities


• Work with contractual book-keeping firm to ensure that adequate funds are available to permit the organization to carry out its work, including by-weekly payroll; in addition, prepare financial information for annual accounting review, with annual filings such as the IRS 990, CHAR-500, and IRS-529

Communications

• Maintain regular communication with the Board of Directors on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it; prepare and convene quarterly Board meetings, committee meetings, fill vacancies as needed, etc.


• Ensure that activities, programs, mission and goals of the organization are publicized using traditional and social media, including New York Folklore’s website, social media pages, and email lists


• Coordinate with the editor and editorial board the preparation and distribution of Voices: the Journal of New York Folklore


• Serve as the official spokesperson for New York Folklore with various constituents, including community leaders, politicians, organizational partners, funders, and the general public

Advocacy

• Serve as the organization’s primary contact for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and other government-based arts organizations


• Develop and lead local advocacy efforts with local, State and national elected officials


• Serve as the organization’s representative to State and national arts advocacy organizations

Experience:

A master’s degree in folklore with a focus on public folklore is preferred. A master’s degree in a related or adjacent field of study (ethnomusicology, cultural heritage studies, museum studies, anthropology, etc.) will also be considered.

A minimum of five years of experience in a managerial capacity within a cultural organization is required (e.g., Executive Director or Program Director).

A knowledge of the geography and cultural/social history of New York State and its diverse regions is a plus. The ideal candidate leads first‑and‑foremost with compassion.

They focus on building and caring for relationships, coalition building, collaboration, and "leading from the back." They are flexible, sensitive, understanding, and have exceptional listening skills.